Feed compositions containing betaine salts

Abstract

Compositions, in particular compacted compositions, contain at least one betaine salt and at least one feed additive; and can be used for providing the feed additive, in particular probiotics, to drinking water or rearing water.

1 . A composition comprising at least one betaine salt and at least one feed additive. 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains the at least one betaine salt in an amount of 20 to 90 wt. %. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains at least one carbonate salt. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains at least one bicarbonate salt. 
     
     
         5 . Composition The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains at least one polyfunctional acid. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains at least one further compound selected from the group consisting of disintegrants, flow regulators, anti-caking agents, lubricants, emulsifiers, antioxidants, bulking agents, gelatinizers, colouring agents, and flavouring agents. 
     
     
         7 . The composition, according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one feed additive is selected from the group consisting of probiotics, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, probiotics, amino acids, organic acids, vaccines, immune modulators, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains at least one probiotic microorganism. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one probiotic microorganism is selected from the group consisting of probiotic bacteria. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a compacted composition. 
     
     
         11 . A method of preparing a compacted composition, the method comprising:
 a) providing the composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in the form of a powder;   b) granulating the powder to prepare a granular composition; and   c) pressing the granular composition to form the compacted composition.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein pressing of the granular composition is carried out by applying a pressure force of 5 to 100 kN. 
     
     
         13 . A method of providing a feed additive animals, the method comprising:
 a) dissolving the composition according to  claim 1  in water or an aqueous solution, to obtain a prepared solution; and   b) providing the prepared solution to animals.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the animals are selected from the group consisting of farm animals, pets, exotic animals, zoo animals, aquatic animals, and animals used for sports, recreation, or work. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein provision of the feed additive to the animals enhances the health of such animals, and/or improves the general physical condition of such animals, and/or improves the feed conversion rate of such animals, and/or decreases the mortality rate of such animals, and/or increases the survival rates of such animals, and/or improves the weight gain of such animals, and/or increases the productivity of such animals, and/or increases the disease resistance of such animals, and/or increases the immune response of such animals, and/or establishes or maintains a healthy gut microflora in such animals, and/or prevents the outgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, and/or enhances the growth of beneficial bacteria, and; or reduces the pathogen shedding through the feces of such animals. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition contains the at least one betaine salt in an amount of 45 to 65 wt.-%, and
 wherein the at least one betaine salt is betaine hydrochloride.   
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the composition contains the at least one carbonate salt in an amount of 10 to 35 wt.-%, and
 wherein the at least one carbonate salt is sodium carbonate.   
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the composition contains the at least one bicarbonate salt in an amount of 1 to 10 wt.-%, and
 wherein the at least one bicarbonate salt is sodium bicarbonate.   
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one probiotic microorganism is selected from the group consisting of probiotic bacteria from  B. subtilis, B. iichenybrinis, B. amylolyquiefaciens, E. faecium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the compacted composition is in a shape of a tablet.